The Right Side of Reckless
Page 34
I really wanted to write a world that looked like the world I grew up in, with people who looked like the people I went to school with, with people like the people I see shopping at the local grocery store. I wanted a YA world where POCs are thriving and living and dealing with things like the normal people they are.
With these Arlington High books, I wanted to break that cycle. I wanted a whole book series featuring couples of color, friendships of color, families of color, teens of color just dealing with the everyday struggle of growing up and life in general—à la John Hughes. So I think about all these kids in this book, and the others, and I’m so proud of their potential and what they can do and show. I can only hope that teen readers of color can find someone they see themselves in and feel a sense of home and a connection. That’s all I ever wanted as a reader.
Being that this is based from the atmosphere of my old high school, Garfield (Go Rams!), I had to put a sense of home in this book. My junior year, I took chemistry and my teacher Mrs. Rummell HATED the color orange and we legit used to torture her by bringing in orange things or wearing orange. Not to mention she really had a recycling bin that either she made or a student made for her named Earl. I couldn’t have this book without that little light. I wasn’t too amazing at chemistry, but I did love that class because of her.
The brothers Troy and Tommy Jordan were inspired by the fact that my school had two sets of brothers who were big into football, one duo making huge waves in the newspaper. I just loved that and always wanted to embody that.
Now I HAVE to thank my dear, sweet Anaisja Henry. When we first met, you were a reader on Wattpad under the username @onelessproblem_ but you were never a problem for me (cue sappy music y’all). Over the years, you’ve been one of my FAVORITE readers on Wattpad and you were a big, BIG fan of the Arlington High books when they were first on Wattpad, and when I wanted to rewrite Guillermo and Regan’s story, you were the first person who came to mind. You’re always a treat to talk to, as I totally am not shy to admit I value and admire your thoughts and opinions greatly. Through my highs and lows of my eternal overthinking and fears, you’re always there to listen and offer feedback. I can’t thank you enough for beta reading this for me when I rewrote it!
I also have to admit that it’s hard to explain where my exact inspiration for The Right Side of Reckless comes from as it’s actually a rewrite from another idea I had for Guillermo and Regan I wrote in 2012–2013. Before Guillermo was a troubled bad boy and new student, he was also a careless, cocky flirt, and not to mention his past was anticlimactic when it’s all revealed. A part of me knew I wanted to redo the story and make it stronger for both arcs, and the idea of probation came to me, but I had no grounding. Which brings me to my next BIG THANK-YOU, one of my managers at my job, Gary Cymbor! I don’t even remember how it started, but you were grabbing lunch one day and you started to say how much things had changed for you, and then you told me how your wife saved your life when you were young. You told me how you were arrested on three separate occasions and the overall life-threatening, reckless path you were on before you met your wife and she helped you change. I was in awe and intrigued (insert that GIF of B. J. Novak writing in his notepad LOL). From that very moment, I had my story for Guillermo’s past, and I can’t thank you enough, Gary, for telling me your story and allowing me to base Guillermo’s struggles on it.
I want to thank my lovely, lovely sensitivity readers for helping me bring Guillermo and his family some authenticity. Stephanie Vega, ugh, girl, I ADORE you. You’re also one of my fave readers from Wattpad, not to mention writers. After reading your work in your WIP and just enjoying your comments as a reader, I knew I wanted your personal take on how Guillermo read. Thank you so much for giving me raw, honest feedback and suggestions to bring him to life!
Alessandra Magaña, thank you so much for taking the time to read and give me your personal take on Guillermo as well, especially the suggestions on language and film! It was a pleasure working with you and gaining an own voice opinion on how Guillermo read. You were such a big help, and I can’t thank you enough for telling me some of YOUR story to help me visualize better and get a greater sense of how things were reading. Thank you forever!
Gaby Cabezut, thank you so much for helping me with my translations and making the phrases ring true!
I’m grateful to these ladies for helping me with Guillermo’s journey and story, and I take full responsibility for any error with his story otherwise.
To my loyal Wattpad readers who championed this book in its early days and were day one fans of the potential, a forever humble thanks. #ArlingtonHighHive.
To my agent, Uwe Stender, thank you, thank you for always being in my corner and championing me and my work!
To my editor, Natashya Wilson, forever thanks for taking another chance on me and helping my dream come true with bringing Arlington High to life. I love these kids and I’m so happy you were able to, as well.
To the team at Inkyard Press for helping make this book possible and shine. To Gigi Lau’s amazing art direction and Noa Denmon’s awesome illustration that captures Guillermo and Regan, many thanks!
ISBN-13: 9780369702807
The Right Side of Reckless
Copyright © 2021 by Whitney Grandison
1985 (Intro To “The Fall Off”)
Words and Music by Jermaine L. Cole
Copyright © 2018 SONGS OF UNIVERSAL, INC.
All Rights Reserved Used by Permission
Reprinted by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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